Day Minus Five (10/6/24)


We met today to discuss final preparations for the trip. We discussed the food of Panama fairly extensively (chicken fingers and french fries?), and also got to know each other better by sharing five things in our lives thus far that led to us signing up for this mission trip. This is an OURTREACH trip on the one hand - we have a resource (donated eyeglasses) that meets a community need (improving vision). But it is more than that - it is about building a relationship with the Church of Panama, partnering with them, an opportunity for us to look beyond our role as  simply members of a specific church and consider more fully our role in the One Christian Church on Earth.

The second part of the meeting was doing a practice clinic, where we could practice our various roles at the different stations from the nursing station to the vision testing station to the glasses distribution station, to the final fitting station, etc. 


After the clinic, we packed the suitcases and prepared the packing lists. Over the course of the 4.5 hours, we had an opportunity to come together as a team, supporting and encouraging each other. 

Lord, as we embark on this trip, we pray that You would watch over us, keep us safe, and direct our words and our actions.  Because ultimately it's not about providing glasses, its about being a neighbor, it's about caring for all those whom You have created, it's about loving because You have loved us, it's about supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ, and about pointing those who don't know You a little closer to Your love for them.  We pray that You would give us the desire and the ability to do what You would have us do on this trip, so that the eyes of all may look to You. 


Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

(1 Corinthians 12:27)



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